Marriott chief executive officer, Arne Sorenson, has voiced his ongoing support for the tourism industry and said travel has a significant impact on the economy of the United States.

“Tourism creates $1.9 trillion in economic activity and 14.4 million jobs,” said Sorenson at the Bisnow Lodging Investment Summit.

“The number of travellers crossing national borders is expected to reach one billion in 2012.

“Continued ease of the visa process means more travellers visit the United States, and one American job would be created for every 35 who visit.”

The Obama administration has recently been taking steps to reduce barriers to entry for tourists looking to visit the United States.

Waiting times for visitors from Brazil, for example, have been significantly reduced.

Brand USA – the new government body charged with increasing international visitation to the US through marketing and promotional efforts – also recently launched its first ever comprehensive marketing campaign.